Messy Milestones

2016 in Review

It’s the last day of 2016, say what?!

It’s hard to believe that it’s about to be a brand new year. For me, the Lord certainly taught me a lot in 2015, but the bulk of 2016 was characterized by the return to a new sense of normalcy and reflecting on how to love and live well in the aftermath of a tumultuous season of loss. It’s “easy” to turn to God when you’ve been broken and He’s your only source of strength, but to keep turning to Him when things improve? That’s harder than one might think and something tells me that it will be something that I will continue striving to improve on in 2017.

In the meantime, let’s look back at some of what 2016 had for me!Read More »

Let Them Come

“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” – Matthew 19:13-15, NIV

These days, it’s hard to turn on the TV and see the images that are plastered all over the news. Just recently with the horrific attacks in Berlin and in Turkey, but also with the suffering that is impossible to comprehend in Syria. I feel a measurable amount of guilt and heartache that I’m only now paying attention to this crisis and realizing the magnitude of the devastation when this is something that the people of Aleppo have been enduring for years. It’s hard to see the current state of affairs in our own government and country as anything but trivial when you place them side by side with the violence and massacres in this part of the world.

The truth of the matter is that we, all of us, are God’s people and created by Him no matter where we live. Would Jesus turn his head and not be moved by what is happening in Syria? He wouldn’t, and he hasn’t. I hope you join in prayer for the people of Aleppo and if you feel led, give to organizations that are working to support and help the people there. Here is a helpful article that shares some ways to help, if you feel led. This Christmas season, at its core, is a time of reflection and celebration of the birth of King who came to redeem us all. He came to draw near to us and to save us all from our transgressions by taking our place on the cross, dying the death that was meant for us. It’s a poignant reminder, as we see these atrocities around the world, that God hurts with His children. He weeps when we weep.

A Festive Touch

For some time now, I have been absolutely in love with the concept of “living seasonally” and part of how I incorporate this concept into my daily life is through my decor. I’ve begun to change out my room’s decor with the seasons and the holidays and I cannot say enough about how much I love it, especially now at Christmastime.

One of my favorite ways of decorating is through both words and personal mementos. I have an ever-growing collection of art prints with quotes and bible verses printed on them that I change out from time to time as well as various family photos. Most of the family photos that are on display in my room are of my loved ones who have passed but for me, I don’t see it as a reminder of the sadness of their passing. Rather, I see the photos as beautiful reminders of the memories I was able to make with them while they were in my life.

This particular set-up on my nightstand is absolutely one of my favorite things right now. Just looking at it brings me a sense of joy. This white and gold foil print is one that I have on display year-round and it’s from Lara Casey’s shop, Cultivate What Matters (but sadly, I don’t think she sells them anymore). The tin Merry Christmas sign is a Target Dollar Spot find while the little Santa candle has a very special meaning for me. The Santa candle came from my late Aunt Shelia’s home and though it doesn’t smell like anything in particular, it is so precious to me since it used to be hers. The picture in the frame is one of my favorites of my sister and I with our late maternal grandmother.

A Festive Touch

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Change // I Will Follow

Change is hard.

I know, you’re probably like, Hey Ashley, way to state the obvious there.

There’s good change, of course, and there’s also bad changes. There’s also change that you’re just not quite sure how to feel about.

I find myself in that camp more often than not.

#allthefeels.

When it comes to spiritual change, also known as spiritual growth, that’s one that is particularly difficult to process. Spiritual growth makes you finally stop and look at that reflection in the mirror and take a long hard look at your life and your relationship with God. It forces you to celebrate the areas where you have grown and acknowledge the areas where you are still in desperate need of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Lately, I have been feeling a little bit stagnant within my church community and have been wrestling with a lot of feelings about it. I’ve been attending this church for just over two years and God definitely brought me to that place at the perfect time.Read More »

Friends, Laughter, and Puppies in Sweaters

This past Saturday, my small group came together as an early Christmas gathering for some food, games, laughs, and you guessed it, puppies in sweaters. We played Telestrations (hilarious game) and watched funny YouTube videos, but the hit of the night was definitely Coco, the little yorkie that our small group leader was watching for a friend. He was such a calm and chill puppy and was wearing the cutest argyle sweater!

Puppies in Sweaters

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